First, let me be clear this is not a political post, although it is prompted by political issues. This post addresses morality. If you feel like the statements in here are somehow intended to be derogatory to any person or thing not specifically called out then perhaps you need to assess your own feelings on the matter. I will neither apologize for my position on the matter nor attempt to couch it in anything less than uncertain terms.
The white supremacy movement is now and always has been wrong. White supremacists, of whatever stripe or degree, are wrong.
White supremacy is one of our culture’s deep and abiding sins that we have yet to sufficiently repent. It began with colonists who arrived with the attitude that their culture and race was inherently superior and therefore had a divine destiny to sweep aside the natives and establish a new civilization. It extended with the introduction of slavery into the English speaking colonies in 1609 and went on to a long and bloody history. Racism was, and in some ways still is, public policy and stated doctrine.
I have dealt with some of these historical issues not long ago and do not want to review them now. Instead let us talk about the modern dangers of white supremacy.
First, we have the subtle and insidious white supremacy that leads people to locking their doors when they see a young black man walk past and assumes much about a person based on the color of their skin, way they speak, or what they wear. This is far more pervasive than people want to admit, even by those that hold these ideas. All of that is wrong and needs to be addressed but even that is not what I am talking about today.
I am talking about overt, self identified, white “nationalists” and supremacists. I am talking about Proud Boys, neo-nazis, neo-confederates, KKK, Aryans, and all of those so called “western chauvinists” who teach either the worthlessness of the other or the radical supremacy of those who look and believe like they do.
But Freedom of Speech and all that, right?
Guess what, not in the Bible.
Plus, a lot of their speech is contrary to the limits our society has long held against incitement; but I am not here to make a legal or Constitutional case. I am here to make a moral case, an appeal to Christianity.
Why should Christians openly denounce the resurgent white supremacist movement?
- Many of these groups claim to be Christian, bring shame on both the church and Christ. Efforts to dehumanize, oppress, marginalize, or otherwise harm any group of people is inherently un-Christian. They use the banner of the cross to hide their own sins. 1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
- The FBI has identified these groups as a danger to the public, in their efforts to push their agenda they are likely to cause harm to innocent bystanders. We have already seen that armed members of the public who identify with these groups have harmed and killed.
- SILENCE IS CONSENT. Indiana is a hotbed of white supremacy hate groups. Failure to clearly denounce them can be seen as tacit approval. It is highly likely that you know someone who is associated with a hate group or is the victim of one.
- BECAUSE THEY ARE HATE GROUPS! Christ = Love. Love is not Hate. No matter what some people think or want.
As a people Christians must openly, loudly, and repeatedly denounce all forms of hate speech and the people who promote it and protect it.
Say it again and again: I denounce white supremacy in all of its forms. #condemnwhitesupremacychallenge